Kolkata/IBNS: Kickstarting her campaigning for the upcoming panchayat polls for the first time, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday accused the Border Security Force (BSF) of scaring voters in the bordering areas of the state and asked police to keep a strict vigil on them.

Addressing a panchayat election rally in the bordering Cooch Behar district, Banerjee said, “I have information that some BSF officials are visiting the border areas, threatening voters and asking them not to vote. I will ask people not to be scared and fearlessly participate in the elections.”

She asked the voters to inform the police if the BSF scares them.

"Law and order fall under the jurisdiction of the state government. If the BSF engages in any intimidation or attempts to create fear, it is recommended to report the situation to the local police," Banerjee said.

Banerjee, the supreme leader of TMC, took charge of the party's campaign against the backdrop of massive corruption allegations, pre-poll violence, and infighting.

Asserting that the TMC will defeat the BJP in the rural polls, Banerjee said, “We will then defeat the BJP at the Centre and bring a development-oriented government in the country.”

She said the party is taking extra care in putting up candidates with a clean record in the elections. “We will look after the panchayats and ensure that there is no corruption at the ground level,” she said.

BSF reaction:

Meanwhile reacting to Banerjee's allegations, the BSF has called them "completely baseless".

Calling them a professional force "entrusted with the responsibility of securing the international border of India", the statement claimed that BSF “has never intimidated any border population or voters in the bordering areas for any reason”.

“No complaint of intimidation of any person in the border area has been received so far by BSF or any other sister agency. BSF is fully committed to the peaceful and unhindered electoral process in the border and other areas,” the statement said.

The panchayat elections in the state are scheduled to be held on July 8.